Caelan Doris Secures Spot in Irish Selection But Joe McCarthy Misses Out

Returning head coach the Ireland coach has included captain Caelan Doris in his Irish squad for the fall matches, however lock McCarthy misses out.

The captain, absent from play since undergoing shoulder surgery in the start of May, recently returned to provincial training, with doubts lingering if he will be fit to play against the All Blacks in Chicago on November 1.

Lock McCarthy, however, was not considered after not recovering from the foot issue he sustained during the first Lions match against the Wallabies in the summer.

Northern province forward Izuchukwu and southern province wing Calvin Nash are also absent because of injury, while full-back Keenan was previously excluded after having hip surgery after the Lions tour.

Dublin province forward Paddy McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the only uncapped player in the 34-player squad, however the Irish Rugby Football Union says uncapped Munster pair Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and previously capped Connacht wing Shayne Bolton will head to the US as "cover".

Following facing the All Blacks at the Chicago stadium in a repeat of their 2016 encounter, Ireland host the Brave Blossoms, Australia and world champions South Africa in the Irish capital.

"There's an exciting look to the panel and there's an opportunity for the more experienced players and for those who made their debuts on the summer tour to Georgia and the Lobos," commented Farrell, back to Ireland duty after a break to coach the British and Irish Lions to the southern hemisphere.

In a largely experienced selection, the Dublin club's Prendergast and the southern club's Crowley will once again vie for the first-choice fly-half position. The number 10 jersey is still available, as the two players set to play against each other for the first occasion in the upcoming URC game at Croke Park.

Ciaran Frawley is the third fly-half chosen as the coach opting against calling up Leinster's Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, Farrell has picked British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who led Ireland to the summer international victories over Georgia and the Lobos. Additionally, there is a return for Connacht's Blade, who is preferred to teammate Murphy.

Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Ringrose and McCloskey form an veteran group of centre options. Osborne is a further choice in the midfield, though the 23-year-old is additionally a leading candidate to deputise for Keenan at full-back.

Wingers Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Stockdale are named. The winger shone on his first Ireland outings over the summer with two tries apiece in the wins over the Lelos and Portugal.

Paddy McCarthy is the sole fresh addition in the Ireland pack. The front rower has been in a couple of Leinster's three United Rugby Championship games this season and featured in Ireland A's loss by England in Bristol earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was included in caretaker coach Paul O'Connell's summer selection, yet did not earn a cap.

Munster lock Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those Tests, is retained, and veteran Ulster second row Henderson is back after missing the summer matches.

Conan, who started each of the Lions matches over the summer, is poised to deputise for Doris should the skipper fails to recover fitness soon enough to play New Zealand.

The Ireland squad will meet in the capital on the start of the week before flying to the US on the following day.

Pack (19): Ahern (Province), Ryan Baird (Province), Finlay Bealham (Province), Tadhg Beirne (Province), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Province, capt), Furlong (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Province), Gus McCarthy (Province), P McCarthy (Leinster), Porter (Province), C Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Province), Sheehan (Province), Nick Timoney (Province), van der Flier (Province).

Backline (15): Bundee Aki (Connacht), Blade (Connacht), Casey (Province), Jack Crowley (Province), Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Province), Hansen (Connacht), Henshaw (Province), Lowe (Leinster), McCloskey (Province), O'Brien (Province), Osborne (Province), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Ringrose (Province), Jacob Stockdale (Province).

Kick-off times

• The national team v the All Blacks, 1 November, Chicago (20:10)
• Ireland v the Brave Blossoms, 8 November, Aviva Stadium (12:40)
• Ireland v Australia, November 15, Dublin (20:10)
• Ireland v South Africa, November 22, Aviva Stadium (17:40)